EPA and USDA Release Information for Mitigating Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) Outbreak

---

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has released a list of 115 disinfectant products recommended for use related to the outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Stereotype 2 (RHDV2). This virus, which impacts wild and domestic rabbits, is not a threat to human health or other domestic animals.

RHDV2 spreads through direct contact or exposure to excretions or blood from infected rabbits, as well as contaminated food, water and materials, including clothing and shoes. As is often the case with emerging viral pathogens, few if any EPA-registered disinfectant product labels specify use against this category of infectious agents.

However, EPA and USDA have worked together closely to create a list of 115 disinfectant products recommended for use on surfaces that rabbits may contact. In the absence of products registered specifically against RHDV2, USDA approached EPA about triggering its EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen Policy (EVP) to respond to the outbreak of this virus in the United States. This list has been generated based on the EVP’s two-stage process, which allows use of certain EPA-registered disinfectant products against emerging viral pathogens not identified on the product label.

A company can apply for an emerging viral pathogen claim, even before an outbreak occurs, based on previous EPA-approved claims for harder-to-kill viruses. Since its implementation in 2016 this policy has only been triggered one other time, for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

RHDV2 is a small, non-enveloped emerging virus, which means it is in the category of the hardest to kill viruses. Per the EVP, products eligible to be used against this virus have demonstrated efficacy against two small, non-enveloped viruses from different virus families.

For more information visit List O: Disinfectants for Use Against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2).

---

Virtual public hearing regarding commercial feed rule amendment scheduled for July 29

June 25, 2020

 

Virtual public hearing regarding commercial feed

rule amendment scheduled for July 29

Amendment addresses new “Spay and Neuter Program Fee” section of rule

 

LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has scheduled a virtual hearing Wednesday, July 29 to receive public input on an amendment to the 21.18.3 NMAC, Commercial Feeds rule. This amendment adds new definitions and a new section titled “Spay and Neuter Program Fee.”

 

During the 2020 legislative session, Senate Bill 57 “Pet Food Fee for Neutering & Sheltering” was signed into law. This amended the New Mexico Commercial Feed Act (Section 76-19A NMSA 1978) to add a new section titled “Spay and Neuter Program Fee.” The legislation mandates that NMDA shall impose an additional fee on pet food registration for dogs and cats to fund the dog and cat spay and neuter assistance program and the animal sheltering act.

 

The public video/telephonic hearing is Wednesday, July 29 at 9 a.m.

 

To join the hearing via video, go to the meeting URL: https://nmsu.zoom.us/j/97456254575  and enter the meeting ID: 974 5625 4575.

 

To join the hearing via phone, dial 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 and enter the meeting ID: 974 5625 4575.

 

Copies of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and proposed rule amendments are available on the NMDA website.

 

Oral comments will be accepted at the video/telephonic hearing from members of the public and any interested parties. Written comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. Comments may be submitted via email to comments@nmda.nmsu.edu or may be filed by sending original copies to:

 

New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Office of Director

MSC 3189, PO Box 30005

3190 S. Espina

Las Cruces, NM 88003-8005

 

Only signed statements, proposals or comments will be accepted. Scanned or electronic signatures conforming to federal and state court requirements will be accepted with the understanding that if there is any dispute regarding a signature, NMDA reserves the right to require that original signatures be provided to verify the electronic or facsimile signature. The NMDA Director will consider all oral comments and will review all timely submitted written comments and responses.

 

Individuals with a disability who need a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to participate in the hearing should contact NMDA at 575-646-3702 at least one week prior to the hearing or as soon as possible.

 

Legal authority authorizing the rule amendment is granted to the board of regents of New Mexico State University under the New Mexico Commercial Feed Act, Chapter 76, Article 19A Sections 1 - 17, NMSA 1978 Compilation.

 

EPA Announces the September 15-18, 2020 FIFRA SAP Public Meeting and Requests Nominations of Ad Hoc Expert Reviewers

EPA will host a meeting of the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) on September 15-18, 2020 from 9 am to approximately 5 pm EDT on activities that could inform human health risk assessment for organophosphate pesticides and reducing animal testing. EPA is considering using in vitro data for 16 organophosphate compounds to potentially reduce reliance on default risk assessment uncertainty factors in favor of more refined data-derived factors.

The public and SAP members are also invited to a preparatory virtual meeting to discuss the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions to be used for the peer review. This meeting will be held on August 25, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. EDT. You must register to receive the webcast meeting link and audio teleconference information for participation in this meeting. Please visit the FIFRA SAP website to register (www.epa.gov/sap).

Written public comments for consideration during the August 25 preparatory virtual meeting, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0263, should be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov (preferred) or by email to Tamue Gibson, DFO, gibson.tamue@epa.gov by noon (12:00 PM EDT) on August 21, 2020. Requests to make brief oral comments to the FIFRA SAP during the preparatory virtual meeting should be submitted when registering online on or before noon (12:00 PM EDT) on August 21, 2020.

Written public comments for consideration during the September 15-18 peer review meeting should be submitted by the Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov (preferred) or by email to Tamue Gibson, DFO, gibson.tamue@epa.gov on or before September 9, 2020. Requests to make brief oral comments to the FIFRA SAP during the peer review meeting should be submitted when registering online on or before noon (12:00 PM EDT) September 9, 2020.

Soliciting Ad Hoc Nominations

The Agency is also requesting nominations of prospective candidates for service as ad hoc reviewers, to assist the FIFRA SAP for this meeting. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals to be considered as prospective candidates. Nominations should be provided to the Designated Federal Official (DFO) identified below on or before July 1.

The FIFRA SAP serves as a primary scientific peer review mechanism of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and is structured to provide scientific advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on pesticides and pesticide-related issues as to the impact of regulatory actions on health and the environment.

Additional information may be found in the docket (EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0263), on the FIFRA SAP website, or by contacting the DFO, Tamue L. Gibson (gibson.tamue@epa.gov or 202-564-7642).